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Cans
1640 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 · 773-227-2277
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BUCKTOWN. For a nostalgic experience with the requisite hint of trendiness, Cans is the place to go. While canned beer – 27 varieties – is definitely the specialty, bottles and cocktails can also be had. Grab a seat at one of the two bars, or sink into delightfully deep booths; thanks to waitstaff bearing Palm Pilots, your suds will be in front of you in no time. Continuing the low-key vibe, arcade games like Ms. Pac-Man, Centipede, and Tetris stand ready to challenge your skills. Alternatively, sit back and enjoy old-school flicks like "Sixteen Candles" on plasma screen TVs.
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Coq d'Or
140 E Walton Pl, Drake Hotel, Chicago, IL 60611 · 312-787-2200
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MAGNIFICENT MILE. This bar has become a Chicago landmark. It sports Prohibition-era decor, and low lighting sets the mood. The martini is the signature drink, and cabaret-style pianists and singers entertain nightly. The menu includes a number of items that come from the kitchen of the Drake's notable Cape Cod Room. Try the Bookbinder Soup or a fresh salad. Several televisions provide access to news and/or sports games, depending on the day and time. Casual attire.
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LAKE VIEW. A pressed tin ceiling and cozy booths lining one wall are just a few of the details that help Cullen's distinguish itself from Chicago's glut of Irish bars and restaurants. Folks come here to grab a bite to eat or simply to knock back a couple of pints. Shepherd's pie, burgers, and mac and cheese represent the edible offerings, while a decent selection of beer and spirits satisfies most merry-makers. Come on a weekend morning for a traditional Irish fry-up, or on Sunday night for energetic live Irish music.
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Ghostbar
440 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 · 312-575-9900
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WEST LOOP. If it seems like Ghostbar popped off the pages of hip "Wallpaper*" magazine, that's because it did. The British publication paid homage to the streamlined club, a polished complement to downstairs' super-trendy N9NE restaurant. Get in the mood with a Ghostini cocktail (complete with Casper swizzle stick), and then sit back and take in the high quotient of nightlife attitude. A long line of beautiful people often waits to get in, and star-sighting potential is high.
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Hopleaf Bar
5148 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 · 773-334-9851
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LAKE VIEW. 199 bottles of beer on the wall...and 30 drafts, too. How do you choose? Just ask one of the well-versed waitstaff, who can also recommend an entree to pair perfectly with your brew of choice. A somewhat smoky front room doesn't discourage locals and visitors from crowding in, but the spacious backroom invites lingering and enjoying above-average food offerings that boast Belgian flair, like moules frites and stewed rabbit legs.
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Le Passage
1 Oak Pl, Chicago, IL 60611 · 312-255-0022
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GOLD COAST. Enter through the alley, move past the beautiful blond hostess (having met the cover charge and dress code), descend the stairs, and be transported to a 10,000-square-foot subterranean speakeasy of the new millennium. Le Passage's funky decor and talented DJs spin you from dance floor to two great bars. Yow Bar, named for legendary Trader Vic's bartender Yow Low, is a comfy VIP area. Beautiful, hip patrons can also enjoy live music, fashion shows, and a tasty late-night appetizer menu.
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BUCKTOWN. Omnipresent 77-year-old Marie, the lounge's original owner and bartender, looks like your grandmother and acts like a truck driver. She runs the place, sings on occasion, does magic tricks, and for a shot of Jagermeister, she'll be your new friend. The place started as a polka joint in 1961, and although some original regulars still show up, the bar now belongs to the young during the late hours. The jukebox is crammed with great old 45's, from Elvis to Petula Clark, and an eclectic crowd gives the thumbs-up to Marie's penchant for kitsch and holiday decorations.
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RIVER NORTH. A trendy, high-concept space draws crowds nightly to this happening bar, lounge, and restaurant. The bustling front bar is the place to see and be seen. Sample a specialty cocktail, like the Rockit Root Beer – root beer, Stoli Vanil, and Godiva white chocolate liqueur – while you take in the scene. Looking for something a little more relaxed? Head to the upstairs lounge, where pool tables, couches, and 50-in. plasma TVs can be found. There's plenty of upscale bar food to nibble on too – think Kobe burgers and fries cooked in truffle oil.
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WICKER PARK. Educating patrons about "the world's most misunderstood spirit" is no small feat, and Salud takes its work seriously. More than 75 premium, 100%-agave tequilas are lovingly served in generous, two-ounce pours for your sipping pleasure. For dedicated tequila lovers, dinners and tasting sessions further the experience. If you want a twist on the house specialty, try the Tequila Mockingbird, or opt for another great cocktail – mojitos, martinis, and margaritas are all popular. Plus, unexpectedly good food complements the beverages; sea scallops with poblano-onion hash and lettuce-wrapped tacos represent the imaginative menu.
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Spoon
1240 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 · 312-642-5522
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| Music: |
House
Techno
Top 40
Varies |
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TT: Trendy
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OLD TOWN. One of Old Town's hippest nightspots, Spoon attracts a flurry of stylishly-clad beautiful people on a nightly basis. Come to this upscale restaurant/lounge for a terrific international dinner and an even better night of dancing and general merriment. DJs spin the hottest grooves until the wee hours at this trendy bar, so plan to wear something comfortable and plan to stay late. EL: Red Line to Clark/Division
About 10Best's recommendations for Chicago's Best Bars:
10Best searched far and wide before ranking these bars as the best in Chicago. How'd they earn their way on the list? Beer selection, specialty cocktails, cool aesthetics, great jukeboxes, hip crowds – we consider it all before deciding which ones belong on a list of Chicago's Best Bars.
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